Proteas spinner signs with English county

Share

Imran Tahir (Getty Images)

Cape Town - Proteas spinner Imran Tahir has agreed to join English county side Durham for this season's T20 Blast campaign that starts on July 5.

The 39-year-old, who has featured in 33 T20Is, 85 ODIs and 20 Tests for the Proteas and claimed 253 wickets across all three formats, will join the county for the first nine fixtures of the tournament.

The leg-spinner will then be replaced by India's Axar Patel for the remaining six games of the T20 Blast.

Tahir was part of the Chennai Super Kings' squad that won this season's IPL title in India.

In quotes published on Durham's website, Tahir said: "I'm really excited to be heading to Durham for the Vitality Blast.

"I always enjoy playing in England and hope that my previous international and county experience can help make an impact.

"I look forward to joining up with my team mates and the rest of the staff at the Emirates Riverside imminently."

Tahir has a strong knowledge of English domestic cricket having played for Derbyshire, Hampshire and Nottinghamshire in recent years.

Durham head coach, Jon Lewis, said: "We wanted to invest in a top-quality player to improve our white ball squad and we feel that Imran demonstrates our ambition to compete in the T20 format.

"We were keen to strengthen our squad with an experienced big-game player, who will also be able to help our talented youngsters and look forward to welcoming him to Emirates Riverside.

"He is one of the best leg spinners in the world and will bring a different dimension to our game."